River District

Description

In the late 15th century DR, the River District stands as one of the prominent districts of Neverwinter. Its eastern extremity, often referred to as the Tower District, derived its name from three significant landmarks: the Cloak Tower, the remnants of the Fallen Tower, and the hovering Shard of Night.
Situated in the northeastern region of Neverwinter, the River District owed its name to the nearby Neverwinter River, which delineated its southern boundary. Adjacent to the west lay the Blacklake District.
The River District is mostly inahbited by the merchant class of Neverwinter. together with their families and servants. It is also home to a few nobles. merchants' guilds, and wizards.

Infrastructure

After recovering from the eruption of Mount Hotenow and the occupation of the Many-Arrows Kingdom, the River District has turned back into a bustling economic house for Neverwinter.
Occupied by the merchant class, many houses in the River District are spacious and robust. These residences can comfortably accommodate families of up to eight people, along with their household staff.
Merchant Square, a bustling marketplace attracting traders from across the Sword Coast, stands as a financial epicenter of Neverwinter, rivaling even Waterdeep in terms of daily transactions.
Pedlars Path, situated near the Merchant Guild Hall, is home to cobblers, tinkers, and other artisans, who sell their wares amidst its narrow streets. The orcs later repurpose these modest dwellings into defensive fortifications.
In contrast, Waukeen Way houses the opulent manors and lush gardens of prosperous merchants, many of whom worship Waukeen, the Merchant's Friend. Despite widespread destruction during the eruption, a lone shrine to Waukeen endures amidst the ruins, a testament to the district's erstwhile prosperity.
The Cloak Tower, located at the city's easternmost edge near the entrance of the Neverwinter River, is surrounded by open parkland and fortified walls.

History

The eruption of Mount Hotenow in 1432 DR, wrought devastation upon most of the River District.
Fortunately, the Neverwinter River acted as a natural barrier, safeguarding the River District from being overrun by the plaguechanged creatures that emerged from the Chasm in the city's south.
In the early 1440s DR, an advance unit of orcs from the Many-Arrows kingdom, led by Commander Vansi, infiltrated Neverwinter. Breaching the city walls, they established a base camp beneath the abandoned Cloak Tower, subsequently occupying the tower itself as their headquarters. The orcs extended their control into the Tower District, capitalizing on the city's ruined state. They even reopened the old Fallen Tower tavern, utilizing it as a well-fortified stronghold that defied attempts by New Neverwinter's Mintarn mercenaries to dislodge them.
For a brief period in 1443 DR, Vansi and King Alfron Alogondar negotiated a truce in the neutral ground of the Fallen Tower tavern. However, tensions escalated as Alogondar sought to evict the orcs from the district, culminating in open conflict later that year. The orcs fortified their position around the Cloak Tower, expanding their camp and repurposing structures like the old Merchant Guild Hall into defensive fortifications.
The Neverwinter Guard, aided by adventurers, engaged in a fierce battle against Vansi's orc army, striving to weaken their hold on the district. Ultimately, a daring group of adventurers infiltrated the Cloak Tower, confronting Vansi Bloodscar herself and emerging victorious.
With Vansi's defeat, the River District was liberated and returned under Neverwintan control. The surviving orcs departed, retreating eastward to rejoin Many-Arrows. By 1450 DR, both new and returning citizens were reclaiming and restoring the old merchant villas along the river.

Table of Contents

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Founding Date

1432 DR

Alternative Name(s)

Tower District

Type

District

Population

6000

Location under

Neverwinter